Previous Section Index Home Page


Nurse Accommodation

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the extra units of nurse accommodation for London nurses set out in the NHS plan are (a) single bedroom units, (b) two bedroom units and (c) houseshare units; and how many (i) are new units and (ii) have been completed. [34882]

Mr. Hutton: Since publication of the NHS Plan in July 2000, 803 extra units of new and refurbished rental accommodation have been made available in London. The new accommodation comprises of 687 single rooms,

14 Feb 2002 : Column 679W

42 double rooms and 10 studios in clusters of up to six rooms. There are also 64 units in one, two and three bedroom refurbished flats.

We are aware of a demand for, and look to provide, flexible accommodation which can enable both single and family type of accommodation to be provided. The target of providing 2,000 extra units in London within three years of the NHS Plan is expected to be achieved.

Ambulances

Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances in England were leased in 2000–01; what estimates he made of the number of ambulances in England that will have been leased during 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [35848]

14 Feb 2002 : Column 680W

Ms Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Government Legal Advisers

Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Solicitor-General what proportion of directly employed Government legal advisers have had previous specialist experience of contract law in private practice. [32905]

The Solicitor-General: Government lawyers are recruited from all fields. They include those who have experience of contract law in private practice. However, such information is not collated and the proportions required could be found only involving a disproportionate cost.